said, "we are at a stalemate."
"Unless you decide to give up opium."
"I am not giving up."
"Then we are indeed at a stalemate as you put it." Stalemates always ended. Eventually. "It seems we shall have to get along as best we can."
"We don't have to get along at all. I accept your presence here but for the time being only."
"So what shall we do? Be in each other's way forever until one of us dies from sheer frustration?"
The corner of his mouth twitched in what she suspected was the beginning of a genuine smile. No sooner had it appeared than it just as quickly disappeared. "We do nothing," he said.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing. This is a big house and we are both adults. I will avoid you and I expect you to avoid me, until you come to realize the futility of staying."
It was her turn to smile. She couldn't help it. What he was suggesting was ludicrous. And yet it was the only way. With a stubborn patient, time was her best weapon. Redcliff was a clever man and hopefully a sensible one. He would soon see that not only could he not win a stalemate against her, he was better off without opium. Once the symptoms grew worse, he would realize he needed to give it up or risk losing his life or his mind.
However the fact that he was giving into the situation remarkably easily gave her pause. Surely he didn't believe they could live in the same house indefinitely? So what did he have planned?
He pulled a gold watch out of his fob pocket. "Now that we've established our positions, I must leave you to your own devices."
"Of course. But before you go, there's one more thing. Worth tells me you are expecting guests."
"I am." He pocketed his watch. "My sister and aunt are here for the Season. Is this about your room?"
"No. The room is adequate for my needs, thank you. My concern is about your guests' presence. What are you going to tell them about me? Indeed, is it even necessary that they stay here? Perhaps it would be more convenient if they stayed at your brother's house. Or does Lord Staunton not have any space?"
"Of course he does. He's the Earl of bloody Staunton. He's got more rooms than Carlton House. But Aunt Harry doesn't like the noise generated by my hellion nephews, nor could I inflict her upon them. I'm not that cruel." He moved past Georgiana to his desk and rearranged the scattered papers without making them any neater. "Since you insist upon staying here, perhaps Aunt Harry's presence is more fortuitous than you think."
"Oh?"
"I see you haven't brought your own maid. My aunt can act as your chaperone."
"My maid was ill. I thought you might have a housekeeper or other female servant to take on the role."
"This is not the country, Miss Appleby." He looked at her as if she were a half-wit for even suggesting it. "A mere housekeeper cannot dispel the London gossips. My reputation is at stake and I'll not have it ruined because you didn't bring your maid."
It was the second time he'd made a reference to his reputation and she still wasn't sure if it was a joke. Going by the grim set of his mouth, it probably wasn't. Perhaps females had used him before to try to ruin their reputations. Considering his wealth and looks, she wouldn't be surprised if one or more had attempted to trap him into marriage using underhanded methods. But to think a mere aunt could stop a lady in pursuit of an eligible gentleman was naive. To his credit, a female servant had even less chance.
"So what will you tell them about my presence?" she prompted.
He shrugged and winced. His arm must be hurting more than he was letting on. "What I'll tell everyone. That you are my nurse. You're tending to my injuries." He cocked his head to the side and regarded her as if he were seeing her for the first time. "Although some may not believe it."
"You think they'll assume I'm your mistress?" She stifled a laugh. "Now I shall always be wondering
"Unless you decide to give up opium."
"I am not giving up."
"Then we are indeed at a stalemate as you put it." Stalemates always ended. Eventually. "It seems we shall have to get along as best we can."
"We don't have to get along at all. I accept your presence here but for the time being only."
"So what shall we do? Be in each other's way forever until one of us dies from sheer frustration?"
The corner of his mouth twitched in what she suspected was the beginning of a genuine smile. No sooner had it appeared than it just as quickly disappeared. "We do nothing," he said.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing. This is a big house and we are both adults. I will avoid you and I expect you to avoid me, until you come to realize the futility of staying."
It was her turn to smile. She couldn't help it. What he was suggesting was ludicrous. And yet it was the only way. With a stubborn patient, time was her best weapon. Redcliff was a clever man and hopefully a sensible one. He would soon see that not only could he not win a stalemate against her, he was better off without opium. Once the symptoms grew worse, he would realize he needed to give it up or risk losing his life or his mind.
However the fact that he was giving into the situation remarkably easily gave her pause. Surely he didn't believe they could live in the same house indefinitely? So what did he have planned?
He pulled a gold watch out of his fob pocket. "Now that we've established our positions, I must leave you to your own devices."
"Of course. But before you go, there's one more thing. Worth tells me you are expecting guests."
"I am." He pocketed his watch. "My sister and aunt are here for the Season. Is this about your room?"
"No. The room is adequate for my needs, thank you. My concern is about your guests' presence. What are you going to tell them about me? Indeed, is it even necessary that they stay here? Perhaps it would be more convenient if they stayed at your brother's house. Or does Lord Staunton not have any space?"
"Of course he does. He's the Earl of bloody Staunton. He's got more rooms than Carlton House. But Aunt Harry doesn't like the noise generated by my hellion nephews, nor could I inflict her upon them. I'm not that cruel." He moved past Georgiana to his desk and rearranged the scattered papers without making them any neater. "Since you insist upon staying here, perhaps Aunt Harry's presence is more fortuitous than you think."
"Oh?"
"I see you haven't brought your own maid. My aunt can act as your chaperone."
"My maid was ill. I thought you might have a housekeeper or other female servant to take on the role."
"This is not the country, Miss Appleby." He looked at her as if she were a half-wit for even suggesting it. "A mere housekeeper cannot dispel the London gossips. My reputation is at stake and I'll not have it ruined because you didn't bring your maid."
It was the second time he'd made a reference to his reputation and she still wasn't sure if it was a joke. Going by the grim set of his mouth, it probably wasn't. Perhaps females had used him before to try to ruin their reputations. Considering his wealth and looks, she wouldn't be surprised if one or more had attempted to trap him into marriage using underhanded methods. But to think a mere aunt could stop a lady in pursuit of an eligible gentleman was naive. To his credit, a female servant had even less chance.
"So what will you tell them about my presence?" she prompted.
He shrugged and winced. His arm must be hurting more than he was letting on. "What I'll tell everyone. That you are my nurse. You're tending to my injuries." He cocked his head to the side and regarded her as if he were seeing her for the first time. "Although some may not believe it."
"You think they'll assume I'm your mistress?" She stifled a laugh. "Now I shall always be wondering
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